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List of vulnerable mammals facts for kids

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Status iucn3.1 VU
Vulnerable (VU) species are considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

In September 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that 529 types of mammals were considered "vulnerable." This means they face a high risk of disappearing forever in the wild. About 9.6% of all mammals studied by the IUCN are in this group.

The IUCN also listed 53 kinds of mammalian subspecies as vulnerable. A subspecies is like a special group within a species. For example, a specific type of zebra might be a subspecies of all zebras.

To be called "vulnerable," scientists need strong proof that a species is in danger. This is based on special rules set by the IUCN. Species that are even more at risk are called "endangered" or "critically endangered." All these groups – vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered – are known as threatened species.

Sometimes, there isn't enough information about a mammal to know its conservation status. These are called "data deficient" species. About 783 mammal species (14% of those studied) are in this category. The IUCN warns that these species often live in small areas or have small populations, so they might also be in danger, even if we don't have all the facts yet.

This article lists some of the vulnerable mammals. Common names are used when possible, and links go to the scientific names.

Mammals at Risk: A Closer Look

Pangolins: Scaly Survivors

Pangolins are unique mammals covered in scales. Sadly, many are vulnerable.

Sirenia: Gentle Giants of the Water

These are large, slow-moving marine mammals.

Odd-Toed Ungulates: Hoofed Wonders

This group includes animals like horses and rhinos. Species

Subspecies

Primates: Our Closest Relatives

There are 82 primate species and 33 subspecies listed as vulnerable.

Gibbons: Forest Acrobats

Species

Subspecies

  • Central lar

Lemurs: Madagascar's Unique Animals

Lemurs are found only on the island of Madagascar. Species

Subspecies

Tarsiers: Big-Eyed Night Hunters

Tarsiers are small primates known for their huge eyes. Species

Subspecies

  • Bornean tarsier

Old World Monkeys: Diverse and Widespread

This group includes many familiar monkeys from Africa and Asia. Species

Subspecies

New World Monkeys: Americas' Primates

These monkeys live in Central and South America. Species

Subspecies

Lorises: Slow and Stealthy

Lorises are nocturnal primates found in Asia.

Cetartiodactyls: Whales, Dolphins, and Hoofed Animals

This large group includes dolphins, whales, and even-toed ungulates (hoofed animals). There are 57 species, 12 subspecies, and several subpopulations assessed as vulnerable.

Non-Cetacean Even-Toed Ungulates

This includes animals like pigs, giraffes, deer, and cattle. There are 51 species and ten subspecies in this vulnerable group.

Suids: Wild Pigs
Giraffid Species
Deer Species
Bovids: Cattle, Goats, and Antelopes

Species

Subspecies

  • Black-faced Impala
  • Kafue lechwe
Other Even-Toed Ungulate Species

Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins

Species

Subspecies

Subpopulations of species

Subpopulations of subspecies

Marsupials: Pouched Mammals

There are 43 marsupial species assessed as vulnerable.

Bandicoots and Bilbies

Koalas

Kangaroos and Wallabies

Cuscuses and Possums

  • Sulawesi bear cuscus
  • Greater glider

Shrew Opossums

Carnivorous Marsupials

This group includes many Australian meat-eating marsupials.

Opossums

  • Chacoan pygmy opossum
  • Little woolly mouse opossum

Carnivores: Hunters of the Wild

Species

Subspecies

Subpopulations

Afrosoricida: Tenrecs and Golden Moles

These are small, often burrowing mammals from Africa.

Eulipotyphla: Shrews, Hedgehogs, and Moles

There are 29 species in this group assessed as vulnerable.

Shrews

  • East African highland shrew
  • Big Mexican small-eared shrew
  • Kilimanjaro mouse shrew

Hedgehogs

  • Dwarf gymnure

Moles

  • Senkaku mole

Lagomorphs: Rabbits and Hares

Rodents: The Largest Mammal Group

There are 140 species and one subspecies of rodent assessed as vulnerable.

Porcupine-like Rodents

Mice, Rats, and Relatives

There are 105 vulnerable species in this group.

Murids

This includes many types of mice, rats, and gerbils.

Cricetids

This group includes hamsters, voles, and New World rats and mice.

Nesomyids
Other Myomorpha Species
  • Four-toed jerboa

Beaver-like Rodents

Species

  • Texas kangaroo rat

Subspecies

  • Dalquest's pocket mouse

Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Marmots

There are 17 vulnerable species in this group.

Dormice

Bats: Flying Mammals

There are 104 species and one subspecies of bat assessed as vulnerable.

Megabats: Fruit Bats

Species

Subspecies

  • Yap flying fox

Microbats: Insect-Eating Bats

There are 64 vulnerable microbat species.

Old World Leaf-Nosed Bats
Horseshoe Bats
Vesper Bats
Free-Tailed Bats
Leaf-Nosed Bats
Other Microbat Species

Other Mammal Species

See also

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List of vulnerable mammals Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.